At Risk Youth/Child In Need of Services

At-Risk Youth (ARY)
An At-Risk Youth (ARY) petition is a request from a child's parent or legal guardian to the Juvenile Court to help in maintaining the care, custody, and control of the child. ARY petitions can be filed for youth who are under the age of 18 and at least one of the following:
  • Absent from home for at least 72 consecutive hours without parental consent
  • Beyond parental control to the extent that his/her behavior threatens the health, safety or welfare of the child or any other person
  • Have a drug or alcohol abuse problem for which there are no pending criminal charges relating to the substance abuse

HOW DO I START AN AT-RISK YOUTH (ARY) CASE?

  1. Como Iniciar un Caso de Jovenes en Riesgo
  2. HOW TO START AN AT-RISK YOUTH CASE
Child in Need of Services (CHINS)
The purpose of a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) petition is to obtain a court order mandating placement of a child in a residence other than the home of his/her parent because a serious conflict exists between the parent and child. The placement is temporary, and the goal is reunification.

This action is taken when the conflict in the home cannot be resolved and reasonable efforts have been made to prevent removal of the child from the parental home.

CHINS petitions may be filed by a child under 18, parent/legal guardian, or the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

HOW DO I START A CHILD IN NEED OF SERVICES (CHINS)?

  1. HOW TO START A CHINS CASE